Wright feeling even more encouraged

While the season opener looms less than a week away, the Mets may need every minute until first pitch to piece together the lineup that ultimately will take the field that afternoon at Citi Field. But if David Wright continues on his current path, the Mets might not have to worry about who will man third base.

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By Combined news services

recordonline.com

By Combined news services

Posted Mar. 26, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By Combined news services

Posted Mar. 26, 2013 at 2:00 AM

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While the season opener looms less than a week away, the Mets may need every minute until first pitch to piece together the lineup that ultimately will take the field that afternoon at Citi Field. But if David Wright continues on his current path, the Mets might not have to worry about who will man third base.

Wright offered two encouraging signs Monday about his status for opening day. First, he arrived at the team's complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., with no issues, one day after taking batting practice swings for the first time since the World Baseball Classic. Then he took the field for his second straight day of batting practice.

He also fielded grounders at third base for the third consecutive day.

Wright, who said he felt good, worked out while the Mets traveled to Lake Buena Vista, where they beat the Braves 7-4. "Same routine as yesterday."

Despite his workload, Wright reported no problems with his strained left intercostal muscle, which at one point required a cortisone injection. For the Mets, who have been bombarded with injuries, Wright's progress is a welcome development.

Second baseman Daniel Murphy hopes to join Wright in the opening day lineup, though his lack of game action during Grapefruit League play makes him a longer shot to do so.

Nevertheless, Murphy made progress Monday. The projected starting second baseman finished 0-for-5 in a Triple-A game against the Marlins. He also played seven innings in the field.

Using his right arm as an eraser, Dillon Gee scrubbed away the memories of his past two spring training starts. Gee tossed six scoreless innings during the Mets' 7-4 win over the Braves on Monday.

"Even though it was pretty bad leading up to this point, I'm still confident in my abilities," Gee said. "And I know the kind of guy that I can be and I should be. I knew I'd come along. Hope I can just keep building off this."

In those previous two appearances, Gee blamed himself for being too timid.

"Finally, I came out and I said, 'You know what? I'm just going to be aggressive and hit the mitt and not worry about the outcome,' " Gee said.

He allowed just two hits over those six innings, striking out seven and walking none.

The Mets sent left-handed reliever Pedro Feliciano to Triple-A for a month to build his arm strength. The Mets told Feliciano on Monday that he won't make the opening day roster.

Feliciano missed the last two seasons with the Yankees while dealing with shoulder injuries. He's spent eight years with the Mets, logging a franchise-record 92 relief appearances in 2010.

He said Monday he feels ready and will consider opting out of his minor-league contract.

"I feel good," Feliciano said. "Everything is there. The velocity is a little down, but I think to get a lefty out you don't have to throw hard. You just throw strikes and be consistent. We'll see what happens in a couple days."

The highest velocity on his fastball was around 83 mph. He gave up one run in 4﻿1/3 innings over eight appearances this spring. Batters were hitting .222 against him.

The 36-year-old veteran said he was "a little" surprised at the Mets' decision to send him to the minors.